UKA Athletics – News – – England Athletics backs Olympic Stadium Legacy

England Athletics, the official representative body for all English Athletics clubs, has today given its full backing to the retention of the running track within the Olympic Stadium in legacy mode.

England Athletics Chairman John Graves said: "The Board of England Athletics is elected by our club members and we are unanimous in our support for the need to retain the Olympic track within the Olympic stadium post 2012. The ability to inspire a generation of youngsters with the prospect of competing in the Olympic Stadium in England Schools Championships and in England age group championships is an incredibly powerful recruiter for our sport and it is our duty to protect that opportunity for future generations."

Mr Graves went on to reject the position of the Association of British Athletics Clubs who yesterday expressed support for Tottenham Hotspur’s bid for the stadium that would see the athletics track removed.

"ABAC have no legitimacy – they are a self appointed lobby group whose views cannot be claimed to represent athletics clubs. Across Britain there are some 1500 athletics clubs, only a few percent of whom have any association whatsoever with ABAC."